Coast Guard drops lifejacket labeling rule

[newsman]

The Coast Guard officially dropped the type code labeling rule for personal floatation devices so it can write clearer rules and instructions. Details at http://www.examiner.com/article/coast-guard-drops-life-jacket-type-code-labeling-rule

[Capt. Debbie]

Not sure if creating different names will make better.

What's the difference between a Type I offshore, and Type II near coastal? Many look very similar. Commercial boats require Type I's.

Inflatables are a category unto themselves. Whether horse collar type /suspenders are the belt style. Auto or manual deploy?

The Type V special use PFD's are all over the parking lot with vests, float coats and the like. That's a category that is best gone.

We shall see. Change for the sake of change is not necessarily better.